A brillian illustrator has popped up online. This friend and former colleague has been keeping her talents under a bushel. Everyone, say 'Hi!' to Flee.

If God, Fate, the powers that be... gave you a chance, right this minute, to change your life and possibly everyone and everything around you, would you?

Need a boost to your creative energy? Visit Creativity Portal, a resource filled site guaranteed to inspire and energise your creative soul.

Shelly has a great book meme for this month and here's my contribution:

1. Do you use bookmarks?
Yes. They're mostly thick card, some with ribbon or string, some without. I buy them from Borders or any where that has nice ones that catch my eye. I've got a couple of leather bookmarks from Harrods. These are used in hardcover books as they're longer. My favourite and rarely used is one I got at a Memphis Barnes & Noble in the US a couple of years ago: it's a piece of a computer motherboard! You know, those green thick plastic boards with all the holes and silver bits still on.

2. If you don't use bookmarks, how do you keep your place?
When I can't find a bookmark, I'll just use what's in my bag - a receipt, a post-it sheet, even a piece of tissue when I'm desperate. I never dog-ear a book! Shudder!

3. Where do you like to stop reading?
At the end of a chapter, if I can make it.

...Having PMS and being on an emotional rollercoaster for a couple of days or working with a suit who exhibits similar symptoms depending on stress level. Every day!!!

...that we're about 3 months and 1 week away from Christmas?

While I've been in a morose sort of mood this past week, the weekend turned out better than expected, beginning with Friday night when a bunch of us met up for a movie. With a twist.

The annual Starlight Cinema was back, this time at the Padang. Parked under the stars with a cool wind blowing and Mr and Mrs Smith on the super huge screen, was a good way to wind down after a particulary harrowing week. Heineken in one hand and Doritos in another. Bliss, I tell you.

I got to play again on Saturday afternoon. B invited me to a fashion show cum high tea. At the Ritz Carlton!! It was organised by the designer who was putting together her wedding dress and wedding saree. And it was a blast! The clothes were stunning with beautiful embrodiery and sequins. Except for the drop dead gorgeous Indian sarees in the beginning, everything else was Western dress with Indian influences. The grand ballroom was nearly filled with wealthy Indian women and expat wives who darted off to the sales area the minute the show was over to buy what caught their fancy. The clothes weren't exactly cheap with the sarees going for about S$1500 (or US$800). But it was nice to spend an afternoon in daydreams.

Sunday was rather non-eventful but still fun. My cousin A and her hubby B are returning to NYC in early October after nearly 2 years in Singapore. Brave souls, they're going back to no apartment and no jobs but I trust all will be well. We had a small dinner party at home to send them off. Good food, champagne and reminiscing on family tales.

So ok. On hindsight, I have to admit that my weekend was not a total loss after all.

This past week has just been blah! Where one week day rolled into the next, deadlines were just that: dead, and Friday crept up sullen and defiant. I wish I could say that inspiration followed my steps but it sneaked off on a long denied holiday and I couldn't follow.

I should have stayed in bed.

Here's to a more responsive week.

When it seems that the whole world is conspiring to drive you crazy, either you go along for the ride or you look for ways to get out of the race. For a while anyway as you recharge. So, dear readers, what is it you do for yourself to get your energy back?

Hiding places there are innumerable, escape is only one, but possibilities of escape, again, are as many as hiding places. --Franz Kafka

It started a long time ago. An addiction that I was never able to conquer. Or wanted to. You see...hmm... I'm a stationery addict.

Walking into an artshop or to the stationery corner of a bookshop, gives me butterflies (quite similar to the ones I get when buying a new book or the discovery of a unique and affordable piece of silver or white gold jewelry or a new IT gizmo).

I'll mutter to myself as I meander through the aisles; trying out a pen, flipping the pages of a hard-bound notebook, reading the description of a box of watercolors. Files, boxes, notepad holders too - they all leave me hungry with thoughts like: "Now I can use that box to organise my letters. Another one is perfect for cards. And I definitely need two new accordion files for tax statements and other financial stuff. Oh look! Black Pilot G2 pens are on sale! Better buy 6, no 10!"

To what lengths do I go? I have called all over town, trying to track down the elusive moleskine, found a store that had a couple left, reserved it then tore out of office at lunch to buy it. If Singapore fails, there's always my sis in Memphis.

Why this sudden soul-baring? I just unearthed 8 unused wire-o notebooks bought a couple of years ago, in a shoe cupboard!! Along with 3 legal pads, 1 sketch pad and one leather notepad holder. Oh no! I'm hoarding paper products now!!

Does anyone have a similar addiction? Any known cure?

And today of all days, I'm in the office (yes, it's a Sunday!) preparing with the rest of gang for a huge pitch on Tuesday. All I can say is I hope the good stuff of a birthday extends to all here and the good luck we need to win this pitch.

However, I celebrated last night with some good friends (old and new) at a favourite Mediterranean restaurant, Esmiradas with a fabulous menu of salads and Greek antipasti. And someone surprised me with a homemade birthday lime cheesecake. Thanks B - it wa scrumptious!

For now, I'm hoping to leave at about 6pm - we'll see as a lot of what I need to do depends on the creatives.

Note: I'm another year older, but don't feel any different. Wonder if this annual event wears out its magic after some time and becomes just another day. I'm grateful for family and friends near and far. For a life that's been challenging with interesting stops along the way. For a career where I can channel my creative energies in a different direction. And for opportunities to experience all that life has to offer. I thank God today for blessing me and mine with good health and a good life.

"Remember that you're both FIERCE and a DIVA!"

Those words came to me by email from the bestest of friends. We haven't seen each other in yonks yet he knows me better than anyone (other than my sister, D).

I was sharing with him my harried schedule and week, and his consoling words (?) left me with a smile. I think my colleagues would agree with the first word. Don't know about the second but yes, I've felt like that at times. A DIVA (you just have to write that in caps). And so what? I think we all have it in us to be one on occasion. It's just a matter of how well you can pull it off.

Thanks P! LOL!